Balsam of Peru

Balsam of Peru
Balsam Bal"sam (b[add]l"sam), n. [L. balsamum the balsam tree or its resin, Gr. ba`lsamon. See {Balm}, n.] 1. A resin containing more or less of an essential or volatile oil. [1913 Webster]

Note: The balsams are aromatic resinous substances, flowing spontaneously or by incision from certain plants. A great variety of substances pass under this name, but the term is now usually restricted to resins which, in addition to a volatile oil, contain benzoic and cinnamic acid. Among the true balsams are the balm of Gilead, and the balsams of copaiba, Peru, and Tolu. There are also many pharmaceutical preparations and resinous substances, possessed of a balsamic smell, to which the name balsam has been given. [1913 Webster]

2. (Bot.) (a) A species of tree ({Abies balsamea}). (b) An annual garden plant ({Impatiens balsamina}) with beautiful flowers; balsamine. [1913 Webster]

3. Anything that heals, soothes, or restores. [1913 Webster]

Was not the people's blessing a balsam to thy blood? --Tennyson. [1913 Webster]

{Balsam apple} (Bot.), an East Indian plant ({Momordica balsamina}), of the gourd family, with red or orange-yellow cucumber-shaped fruit of the size of a walnut, used as a vulnerary, and in liniments and poultices.

{Balsam fir} (Bot.), the American coniferous tree, {Abies balsamea}, from which the useful Canada balsam is derived.

{Balsam of copaiba}. See {Copaiba}.

{Balsam of Mecca}, balm of Gilead.

{Balsam of Peru}, a reddish brown, syrupy balsam, obtained from a Central American tree ({Myroxylon Pereir[ae]} and used as a stomachic and expectorant, and in the treatment of ulcers, etc. It was long supposed to be a product of Peru.

{Balsam of Tolu}, a reddish or yellowish brown semisolid or solid balsam, obtained from a South American tree ({Myroxylon toluiferum}). It is highly fragrant, and is used as a stomachic and expectorant.

{Balsam tree}, any tree from which balsam is obtained, esp. the {Abies balsamea}.

{Canada balsam}, {Balsam of fir}, Canada turpentine, a yellowish, viscid liquid, which, by time and exposure, becomes a transparent solid mass. It is obtained from the balm of Gilead (or balsam) fir ({Abies balsamea}) by breaking the vesicles upon the trunk and branches. See {Balm}. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • balsam of Peru — n. a viscous liquid resin obtained from a leguminous Central American tree (Myroxylon pereirae), used in medical preparations, flavorings, perfumes, etc. * * * …   Universalium

  • balsam of Peru — n. a viscous liquid resin obtained from a leguminous Central American tree (Myroxylon pereirae), used in medical preparations, flavorings, perfumes, etc …   English World dictionary

  • balsam-of-Peru — balzaminio taukmino peruvinis varietetas statusas T sritis vardynas apibrėžtis Pupinių šeimos prieskoninis, vaistinis augalas (Myroxylon balsamum var. pereirae), paplitęs Centrinėje ir Pietų Amerikoje. atitikmenys: lot. Myroxylon balsamum var.… …   Lithuanian dictionary (lietuvių žodynas)

  • balsam of Peru — noun dark brown syrupy balsam from the Peruvian balsam tree used especially in dressing wounds and treating certain skin diseases • Hypernyms: ↑tolu, ↑balsam of tolu, ↑tolu balsam • Substance Holonyms: ↑Peruvian balsam, ↑Myroxylon pereirae,… …   Useful english dictionary

  • balsam of Peru — balsam of Pe·ru pə rü n a leguminous balsam from a tropical American tree (Myroxylon pereirae) used esp. as an irritant and to promote wound healing called also Peru balsam, Peruvian balsam * * * peruvian balsam a dark brown viscid liquid… …   Medical dictionary

  • balsam-of-Peru-tree — balzaminis taukminas statusas T sritis vardynas apibrėžtis Pupinių šeimos dekoratyvinis, medieninis, prieskoninis, vaistinis augalas (Myroxylon balsamum), paplitęs Pietų Amerikoje. Iš jo gaminami maisto priedai (kvėpikliai), gaunami eterinis… …   Lithuanian dictionary (lietuvių žodynas)

  • balsam-of-Peru-tree — balzaminio taukmino peruvinis varietetas statusas T sritis vardynas apibrėžtis Pupinių šeimos prieskoninis, vaistinis augalas (Myroxylon balsamum var. pereirae), paplitęs Centrinėje ir Pietų Amerikoje. atitikmenys: lot. Myroxylon balsamum var.… …   Lithuanian dictionary (lietuvių žodynas)

  • balsam of Peru. — See Peru balsam. [1765 75] * * * …   Universalium

  • balsam of Peru. — See Peru balsam. [1765 75] …   Useful english dictionary

  • Balsam of Peru — Myroxylon (E) …   EthnoBotanical Dictionary

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